Huneeus Vintners Takes Control of Neyen Estate

By Michael Schachner

Huneeus Vintners, which owns and operates wineries in Chile (Veramonte) and California (Quintessa, Flowers and more), has joined forces with Raul Rojas, founder of the under-the-radar Neyen Estate, a pioneer in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The joint venture calls for Huneeus Vintners (HV) to assume control over the vineyards and production at Neyen, which has been owned by the Rojas family since 1970 but has up to now had very limited distribution in the United States.

Neyen is a 480-acre property located in the heart of the Apalta horseshoe, itself part of the larger Colchagua Valley winegrowing region. Most importantly, Neyen has more than 70 acres of pre-phylloxera Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon dating back to 1890. The property also includes a modern gravity-flow winery that was completed in 2002; the bodega will continue to be home to Neyen’s wines.

“Neyen is one of a kind. Like Quintessa in Rutherford and Flowers Vineyards and Winery in the extreme Sonoma Coast, Neyen is a unique estate that produces wines that reflect its place. It is one of the most promising estates in Chile, and will be a great addition to our portfolio,” said Agustin F. Huneeus. In a statement announcing the deal, Huneeus said Neyen will continue to focus on its prestige Carmenère-led red blend that debuted with the 2005 vintage.